Source · Select Committees · Petitions Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
Paragraph: 42
Despite existing guidance on protecting vulnerable workers on the Health and Safety Executive website and...
Conclusion
Despite existing guidance on protecting vulnerable workers on the Health and Safety Executive website and Working Safely guidance on GOV.UK, many pregnant women still report health and safety concerns at work. Adhering to this guidance should not be seen by employers as optional and there is a need to intensify messaging and enforcement to ensure new and expectant parents are, and feel, safe at work. Given that pregnant women were designated as clinically vulnerable, we are surprised to hear that HSE are not formally recording breaches of health and safety with regards to pregnant women and associated enforcement action.
Government Response Summary
The government states existing health and safety protections for pregnant workers are in place and that HSE does record all breaches of health and safety where enforcement action is taken. They refute the claim of not recording specific breaches for pregnant workers by stating none were recorded for risk assessment failures, and HSE will engage with stakeholders to clarify guidance.
Paragraph Reference:
42
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Throughout the pandemic, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has supported Great Britain’s public health response in the workplace, by adopting a risk-based approach. HSE have used health and safety at work legislation, government guidance, and best available evidence to ensure employers are aware of and take the necessary controls to reduce the risk of transmission in the workplace. to do so, should control risks to prevent harm to pregnant women. The HSE provided specific coronavirus guidance to pregnant workers explaining employers’ obligations, including when to suspend a pregnant worker on full pay. Since March 2020, HSE received 247 queries relating to pregnant workers and coronavirus, which equates to just 0.37% of all enquiries received. HSE does record all breaches of health 6 Government Response: Impact of Covid-19 on new parents: one year on and safety where enforcement action is taken; however, there were no cases recorded for breaches of risk assessment for pregnant workers. HSE often resolves issues through advice and guidance, particularly where problems arise through employers misunderstanding their responsibilities. All breaches of health and safety requirements reported to HSE for pregnant workers are fully considered. HSE’s response is proportionate to the risk and seriousness of the breach. In many cases, breaches of health and safety requirements can be resolved by providing employers with advice and guidance. HSE’s staff use their professional judgement to decide the best course of action in each individual circumstance to ensure risks in the workplace are controlled. Where enforcement action is taken, a summary is published on HSE’s website, which has a database of enforcement notices and prosecutions. HSE will engage with stakeholders to identify any areas of its guidance for pregnant workers that remain unclear.